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Members of the “Red Nose Clowndoctors’ perform for migrants at the Main Train Station in Vienna, Austria. — AFP Governor honors dog that Lichtenstein painting protected trapped friend expected to set record masterpiece of the American pop pop art collector Leon Kraushar, who dog credited with standing guard for nearly hits the auction also owned Warhol’s “Red Jackie” and a week to protect another dog that had fall- Ablock in New York next month, “Green Liz.” “Nurse” was acquired by its Aen in a cistern was deemed “Washingtonian expected to set a new record for artist current owner at auction in 1995 for of the Day” Thursday by Washington state Gov Jay Roy Lichtenstein and continue a record- $1.65 million. Inslee. Tillie, a setter-spaniel mix, was joined by her setting year in art sales. Christie’s has set basset hound friend, Phoebe, and owner BJ Duft as the low estimate for Lichtenstein’s iconic Nude scandal in Paris she received a written proclamation and a “Nurse” at $80 million, but believes it The theme of the November 9 sale of Washington apple pin on a ribbon that was tied could fetch in excess of $100 million at a 20th century art is “artist’s muse,” and the around her neck. Inslee had Tillie sit next to him as specially curated evening sale in New other star of the show is Amedeo he read the proclamation in which he urged “every- York on November 9. Modigliani’s “Reclining Nude,” never one in Washington to celebrate the bravery and That would be nearly double the cur- before offered at auction and expected loyalty of this canine companion.” rent record for a Lichtenstein, set when to fetch $100 million, which would set a Last month, 11-year-old Tillie and 4-year-old the 1963 canvas “Women with Flowered record for the Italian artist’s works. Phoebe were found nearly a week after they were Hat” was sold at Christie’s in New York in The painting, from 1917, provoked a reported missing on Vashon Island by Duft. May 2013 for $56 million. “‘Nurse’ is really scandal when it was first exhibited at a Volunteers looking for the pair received a call in the Lichtenstein top three,” Loic gallery in Paris, where a crowd gathered about a reddish dog being seen running out onto Gouzer, deputy chairman of Christie’s outside the window and outraged on someone’s property and barking a few times post-war and contemporary art depart- police ordered the exhibition to shut before promptly heading back into a ravine. ment, told AFP. down immediately. The auction will be A picture taken at the time they were found The painting, part of the artist’s series led by Jussi Pylkkanen, Christie’s number shows Tillie sitting next to the cistern where of comic book-based images, depicts two. It follows record-breaking sales in Phoebe was lying on a pile of stones above the the face of a woman in a starched New York in May, when more than $2.6 water. Duft, who said the dogs got out of his 5-acre nurse’s hat and collar, with blonde hair billion of art was sold in 10 days. property through an opening in the fence, said “a and full red lips, looking to the side with Also next month, Sotheby’s will sell pit of despair started” as the hours and days passed an expression of mild concern or sur- off the collection of businessman and with no sign of the dogs, even as he and volunteers prise. Simple yet mysterious, the square philanthropist Alfred Taubman, who coordinated by Vashon Island Pet Protectors painting, measuring 48 by 48 inches died last April, on November 4, offering searched daily. (122 by 122 cm) appears as fresh today around 500 works, valued at more than When he got the call the dogs had been found, BJ Duft, (second from left) of Vashon Island, Wash, holds his dogs Tillie (right) and Phoebe, as they as when it was painted in 1964, and the $500 million. The following day, he said he was ecstatic and touched by the dedica- visit with Washington Gov Jay Inslee, (left) Thursday, Oct 15, 2015, in his office in Olympia, image remains popular across the world. Sotheby’s will hold its sale of impres- tion between the two animals. “It really made me Washington. — AP photos “Nurse,” from the height of the pop sionist works, with the top highlight think a lot about their friendship and Tillie’s com- art movement in the US, is a regular in Pablo ’s “La Gommeuse” valued mitment to her companion, that’s for sure,” Duft who have inspired him, Inslee spokeswoman Jaime Tin Tin and Lassie and I never thought I’d meet a retrospectives on Lichtenstein, who died at more than $60 million. Christie’s said. Duft said the dogs are enjoying their new- Smith said. The governor has given out about 70 real dog that had that type of Hollywood character, in 1997 and who was heavily inspired by contemporary art sale will be found fame on the island, about 20 miles south- certificates since he’s taken office. Tillie is the first but Tillie’s right here.” — AP advertising, comic books and popular November 10 followed by Sotheby’s west of Seattle, and now sport GPS collars. non-human recipient. “I saw this story and I just culture. Gouzer called the painting a sis- the next day, and the fall season will The “Washingtonian of the Day” award is an immediately said this is something Washington ter of “Orange Marilyn,” by that other close with Christie’s impressionist art informal way that the governor recognizes people needs to celebrate,” Inslee said. “I grew up with Rin pop art heavyweight Andy Warhol. “It’s sale on November 12. — AFP really a masterpiece,” he said. The canvas was, in fact, once exhibit- ed in the same room as the Marilyn, after it was first bought by renowned

In this file photo, provided by Amy Carey of Vashon Island Washington Gov Jay Inslee pets Tillie the dog, as Inslee reads the text of the Pet Protectors, a setter mix dog named Tillie (left) watches “Washingtonian of the Day” award being given to Tillie. A woman looks at Roy Lichtenstein’s “Nurse” on display at Christie’s New York over Phoebe, a basset hound who was trapped after October 16, 2015 in New York. — AFP falling into cistern shown at right nearly a week earlier, just before being rescued by searchers.